Introducing Kenny

Well we have a new addition to our family, no no more babies, well not from me anyway lol. We bought Ethan a guinea pig today, he has been entitled Kenny (I have no idea how that boys brain works). I have to limit cuddle time or they may love him to death, poor little thing.

He is very cute black and brown with a white tufty bit on his head. Phil and I have just been having a cuddle to teach him that human contact is not all about shrieks of delight and laughter.

Updates on Us

My American Mom reminded me that people actually read this, so I thought it was time for an update.

Christmas has come and gone and we are into a new year already, well almost a new month too. We had a family Christmas at the IL's with my parents in attendance as well. The kids were very happy with their presents from Santa, Sam got a Nintendo DS and it is the envy of his little brother. We gave the kids a trampoline which did not take the suggested 45 minutes to construct. To start with my sidekick was coming down with a bug which rendered him well useless. We then discovered a couple of screws missing, I had to raid my FIL's stash to find replacements. The last debacle occurred when the last arc of the round tramp needed some persuading to fit into its partner, my husband in his infinite wisdom decided brute force with a hammer was the answer, for all the men out there, brute force is hardly ever the answer. A gentle tap on the ajoining piece was all that was required, what my husband had done was smoosh the pipe where the upright leg went, so we were not going to finish putting the tramp together at 11:30pm Christmas eve. Luckily Phil's brother is more adept at handy man type stuff and came round Christmas day to help me out. Needless to say my husband is banned from construction.

We spent a couple of days at the beach at Seaford. It appears to be tradition that we visit the beach on the first night and no matter how many times we say "don't go in too far you're not in your bathers" they end up in up to their necks or over their heads on occasion, soaking wet cold, but having a ball.

Mum and Dad have almost sold their farm, unfortunately settlement has been delayed but its only a matter of paperwork. Dad is a bit unsure where he is going, well after sailing up north that is. Mum is moving here, to Bendigo, she bought a house as an investment a couple of years ago, and now she will be living in it. Also she will be doing some of the babysitting which will be nice for her and them (and I'm pretty sure MIL will like the break too).

Phil and I are back at work. Sam goes back to school tomorrow and is very excited, new teacher, best mates in his class group, books contacted and named. Ethan starts kinder on Thursday but he has decided he doesn't want to go, that may be a problem but hopefully after his first day he will remember how fun it is. Audrey well she doesn't haven anywhere new to go but she will make somewhere, thats what that girl does paves her own way.

Christmas Miracle

Well it finally happened! We got a tear free Santa photo! Every year we have had at least one child in tears, sometimes 2, this year they waltzed up and sat on the couch next to him without being asked, in fact I think it was a good thing there was not a que or they would have been in someone else's photo. Ethan even sat on Santa's lap without hesitating, now obviously every other time of year that would be a worry but I'm pretty sure Santa has to pass a Working With Children Check.

Anyway hopefully the pic will attach itself I have been having some issues with that lately, fingers crossed here go.

Very Proud

On Wednesday I wagged work to go and see my best friend Relsi receive her MAS Community Hero Award. On Father's Day, Narelle and her family were first in the scene of a rather nasty car accident, another driver had suffered an epileptic seizure and collided with a car containing a father and his two sons. One of the boys was trapped in the car with extensive injuries, Narelle stayed with this boy, comforting him till the MAS arrived and continued to comfort him while they freed him from the car. Even though she down plays her effort it is not something everyone would do (unfortunately) she remained calm and involved when many others would consider only themselves.

I wanted to surprise her at the ceremony and with my Secret Squirrel buddy Steve we managed to pull it off. It was so great to see Narelle receive the recognition she deserved and I am so glad that it has made her pursue her dream of being a paramedic with more gusto. Go for it Sweetie, you would be an asset to any ambo team, Ballarat Uni here we come (well you , not me lol). I truly am proud of you, and blessed to have you as my best friend.

Feels like Christmas to Me

Well I dont know about anyone else but it feels like Christmas to me. First I got my new camera and a video camera and today my new fridge arrived, I'm so excited!!! It only just fits in the spot in the kitchen but it fits so thats all that matters. The freezer itself is nearly as big as my old fridge /freezer combined so I wont know myself with all this space woohoo!!

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

Well the time had come again to attempt to take a nice photo to put on our family Christmas card. Lounge set up, new camera in hand, Santa hats on children, everybody in place, go. 2 photos in Audrey is in tears, whats new really. So we carried on between fights over places, Audrey's hat coming of after EVERY photo and the boys playing tug-of-war with the beads. I wont show you the one I am going to use as it may spoil the surprise but I will put some of the others up so you can get an idea of exactly how many usable shots we got lol.

My New Toy

Im so excited, I picked up my birthday present today. I am now the proud owner of a Pentax k100D digiSLR.

Sam had his drama class concert tonight so I took so shots there and just some general muck around shots, going to have a more serious play tomorrow, but here are some of the ones from today.